So this is it. The start of the Greg Robinson Era at Syracuse. It’s hard to believe that the savior has been here only eight months, but on Sunday, there’s no looking back.

Whatever futility Paul Pasqualoni exhibited over the past several seasons at SU will be forgotten. Robinson must write the future of Orange football.

Never mind there’s a darn good chance the Orange will open the season 1-3 even if Vince Lombardi graces the sidelines at the Carrier Dome. Fans at SU are convinced this is the beginning of something new.

At the Orange FanFest Extravaganza at the Lampe Athletics Complex Aug. 22, fans packed the sideline at the fall’s only open practice. They stood three deep in some places just to catch a glimpse of the new regime at work.

Among the Orange faithful was Terry Knickerbocker, a Carrier Dome employee since the 1960s. Terry is like many longtime Orange fans. He remembers the glory days of Jim Brown and Floyd Little. He remembers the successes of Donovan McNabb and Marvin Harrison. And he has never been so elated to see a changing of the guard.

‘I’m just so glad they got rid of (former Athletic Director Jake) Crouthamel, (former Chancellor Buzz) Shaw, (former Offensive Coordinator George) DeLeone and Pasqualoni,’ Knickerbocker said. ‘In the past several years, I thought football lost all of its history here. Now, I feel there’s a lot of excitement.’

Indeed, excitement is up. Ticket sales are up. Heck, SU was even favored to beat West Virginia earlier this week.

‘Without (Robinson), I know a lot of people would never have gone back to their season tickets,’ O-Zone member Eric Culver said. ‘I like his experience and the new coaching staff.’

Robinson and Daryl Gross, the new athletic director, are media savvy and they know what fans want. The new coaching staff is young and filled with NFL, and even Super Bowl, experience.

Still, the fact remains that SU’s roster does not have the same talent as Florida State, Notre Dame or Louisville-three teams the Orange will face this season.

With expectations as high as Kilimanjaro, the question remains: what qualifies as a successful first year for Robinson?

Sorry, but road wins at Florida State, Pittsburgh, Notre Dame and Louisville are hard to predict. If the Orange steals one of its home games against Virginia or West Virginia, it’ll be a welcome surprise.

Though Robinson insists he’s not instilling a five-year rebuilding plan-that he intends to win this season-he may have to wait to attract some better talent to the Hill. By one man’s count, a six-win season ain’t too shabby with this year’s schedule.

Knickerbocker is right, though. Robinson has already made some good moves that he should be applauded for. Consider the following:

n Local star receiver Lavar Lobdell turned down Miami to stay at home and play for the Orange. This never would have happened if Pasqualoni stayed.

n Robinson named his starting quarterback two weeks before SU’s first game instead of the week of SU’s first game like Pasqualoni did last year.

n The team is eager to play for Robinson. Though there wasn’t open animosity toward the old coach, no one sounded as inspired to play for Pasqualoni as they do for Greg Robinson (save Matt Tarullo).

Junior punter Brendan Carney said a 6-5 season isn’t enough, though. At least nine wins are necessary to deem this season a success.

For that to happen, new offensive coordinator Brain Pariani must jumpstart a stagnant attack.

‘I think (Perry) Patterson has to come into his own,’ Knickerbocker said. ‘The option was fine with McNabb and (Don) McPherson, but I don’t think it would work with him. The West Coast Offense has to change things.’

Whether or not Orange fans can sit through another six-win season remains to be seen.

‘They don’t have to win every game,’ Knickerbocker said. ‘I just wish Syracuse would get back to where they were.’

It’s something Robinson is desperately trying to achieve.

Published on September 17, 2005 at 12:00 pm